An hour after dinner Jack bade Carina good night and went to his room. He texted Laura, who was waiting with everyone else in Otto’s room below.
Back in room. Nothing new to report. Expect tomorrow to be same. Will tell C we’ll go to Spain. I’ll book hotel. Check with Spaniards to see what hotel they recommend.
Laura replied back immediately with:
OK Everyone exhausted. Going back to my room. TTYL
Jack turned on the television and lay on the bed for half an hour, then cursed to himself and quietly slipped out of his room.
Laura answered her phone and realized Jack was calling her from the lobby.
“Can I see you?” he asked.
“Now? I’m in my pajamas.”
“You wear pajamas?” Jack was surprised.
“I do when I’m not home,” replied Laura, sounding defensive.
“Well don’t take them off on my account,” he said.
His humour was forced, and he knew she knew it and a moment later she let him into her room. He took a seat on the only chair while she sat on the bed and listened as he told her the lies he’d fed to Carina over dinner.
“What happened after she went to the ladies room?”
“She was in there quite a while. When she came back, I could see she’d tried to fix her makeup, but her eyes were still all red and puffy. Then she apologized for running off.” Jack took a deep breath and released it. “I feel like shit. When I told her that story it was to ingratiate myself with her, and by extension, the guy in Moscow. I didn’t know she’d lost someone.”
“It’s not like you were trying to upset her. Things happen.”
“Wish the Swiss or the Swedes had gotten back to us,” Jack said. “Those are the sort of details I’d like to have known about.”
“It’s only been twenty-four hours. I’ll check with them again tomorrow.”
Jack nodded.
“Did you talk about her husband later?”
“A little. Seems he ran a company that made orthopaedic appliances and parts for the body.”
“How long was she married?”
“Nine years. No kids.”
“Well, you did what you had to do.”
“Know what makes me feel worse?” Jack asked.
Laura shook her head.
“For a moment, when she told me that she’d lost her husband, I thought okay, good, you’re probably vulnerable. I’ll be able to romance you and you’ll completely forget about going to any museums. Yup, wrap you around my little finger and keep you there until I get to the Ringmaster. It’s like nothing else matters.”
Laura gazed at Jack without any expression.
“What kind of a person thinks like that?” he demanded. “I even slipped it in that since obtaining her portrait —” Jack paused. “Yes, I referred to it as her portrait, as if I was talking about my dead wife. I told Carina that it’s the only portrait I can think about and questioned whether any other art would ever hold any significance to me now.” He shook his head in disgust. “She swallowed it all, hook, line, and sinker.”
“You weren’t thinking of her. You were thinking of catching a cold-blooded murderer.”
“I was thinking like an asshole is what I was doing.” Jack pushed himself to his feet. “Sorry to have unloaded on you. I needed to get a woman’s perspective. I was wondering if you’d be upset with me.”
“For what? Lying to a woman? Guys do that all the time for a lot less of a reason.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You only need to be with her for a few more days. The week will be over before you know it.”
Jack nodded. “Thanks for listening. I’ll let you get to sleep now.”
Laura got up and said, “Let me say something before you go. You’re worried about her vulnerability. That isn’t how assholes think.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Jack knew he sounded cynical and dismissive.
“Don’t dismiss my words like I’m some airhead,” said Laura hotly. “Sometimes, like now, you are an asshole, but with Carina you were only doing your job.”
Jack sighed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to … your opinion means a lot to me. It’s why I came to talk to you.” He paused, then added, “Sometimes the job sucks.”
“No doubt about that, but there’s one more thing to consider. Carina’s husband died six years ago in a car accident. That’s too bad, but she can get on with her life. She already has. Think how Gabrielle feels and the pain she must be in. She’s pregnant and her husband was murdered only last month. Focus on that. Catch the Ringmaster and you can always apologize to Carina later. If you don’t catch him … well, think of the pain Gabrielle will be in forever. What you are doing needs to be done. I’m glad it’s you and not some other guy who probably would take full advantage of her.”
Jack nodded again. “Thanks. I mean that. What you said is something I thought, too, but somehow I feel better hearing it from you and not my own brain trying to placate my conscience. I’ll catch you later.” He turned to leave.
“Let me give you a hug before you go,” said Laura. “I think you could use one.”
“No way.” Jack glanced at her over his shoulder.
“How come?”
“Because you look too sexy with those little bunnies all over your pajamas. They put horny thoughts into my brain.”
Jack ignored the pillow that bounced off the back of his head as he left.